May 23, 2023; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry is shown during organized team activities at Ray Nitschke Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Jones-USA TODAY Sports
Green Bay Packers fans aren’t buying Joe Barry’s defense of scheme to stop the Pittsburgh Steelers rushing attack in Week 10. The Packers’ defense surrendered over 200 yards in the loss to the Steelers. That’s the second game this season the Packers have given up 200 yards on the ground.
Head coach Matt LaFleur defended Barry in his press conference Monday. He mocked a reporter’s question about “two-down linemen” sets being used when the defense is in nickel.
Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry is shown during the fourth quarter of their game Monday, September 20, 2021 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Green Bay Packers beat the Detroit Lions 35-17. Packers21 22
LaFleur said in that set, the outside linebacker (who a running back might not want to block but an offensive tackle would prefer over a true defensive end) acts as a defensive end in his “profession”.
Joe Barry: The Green Bay Packers defense was in the right position
During his press conference Thursday, Barry talked about the Packers’ defensive performance against the Steelers. According to Ryan Wood with USA Today, Barry said he was disappointing in a few of the big runs given up in Week 10 because they had enough defenders to plug all run gaps:
“The thing that was disappointing about those explosive runs that we gave up, we were in what we refer to as solo-gap defense, meaning we’re bringing a safety to the party. We’re bringing a safety down, and when an offense is in a one-back formation, to the tight end side there’s four gaps you have to defend.
Away from the tight end side, there’s three gaps. So there’s seven gaps that you have to defend. Well, if you have four down linemen, two inside ‘backers and a safety down, you have seven men for seven gaps.
That was the thing that was a bummer, that on those explosive runs we were gapped out, as we call it. Whether we missed tackles – we had the most missed tackles of any game on Sunday – so that’s a bad combination.”
Barry spent much of the press conference blaming the performance of the players Sunday for the defensive shortcomings. He said the Packers penalties and poor tackling against the Steelers is what keeps him up at night.
Green Bay Packers fans react to Barry’s…defense
Packers fans weren’t buying Barry’s message on social media. Here are the best takes of Packers fans reacting to Barry’s comments.
Is this why he sucks? He doesn’t take context into account and thinks every play has an equal chance of being a run or a pass??
Joe, follow up question here, in situations where a run seems more likely, such as those red zone runs that hurt the Packers, why not add more players to the box to pick up those gaps like other NFL teams do
Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry talks with Keisean Nixon (25) during organized team activities (OTA) Tuesday, May 31, 2022 in Green Bay, Wis. Packers
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And, let’s not forget their propaganda and denial: it’s not a rebuilding year. Well, no Kool aid is being drank here. A big thanks to MLF and his failure to lead. Folks, the season is over. Remember where you parked. Drive home safely.
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And, let’s not forget their propaganda and denial: it’s not a rebuilding year. Well, no Kool aid is being drank here. A big thanks to MLF and his failure to lead. Folks, the season is over. Remember where you parked. Drive home safely.